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Two teenagers wowed the world by reaching the American Tennis Grand Slam final, but in the end, the younger of the two, Britain’s Emma Raducanu showed the calm nerves and steely determination of a champion to beat Leylah. Fernandez for the title.
Even though Fernandez, 19, who appeared to crush every ball during the tournament, saved two match points in the second set, Raducanu, 18, persevered for the win, 6-4, 6-3.
Raducanu sacrificed some of the skin on her left knee in the effort as she glided over it in an attempt to take down a shot at the end of the second set. The injury resulted in a medical time out.
“I knew I had to dig deep, and I fell somehow,” she said. “Just being in the moment, focusing on what I needed to do … it really helped me.”
She recognized Virginia Wade, the last British woman to win Wimbledon, in 1977, who was in the audience.
Queen Elizabeth II congratulated Raducanu.
“It’s a remarkable achievement at such a young age, and a testament to your hard work and dedication,” she said in a statement to the champion. “I have no doubt that your outstanding performance and that of your opponent, Leylah Fernandez, will inspire the next generation of tennis players.”
US Open organizers said two teenagers haven’t faced each other in the New York tournament finals since 1999.
Both women rocked the tennis world as they climbed to the final at Flushing Meadow. Raducanu was ranked 150th. Fernandez of Canada was ranked 73rd and just turned 19 on Monday. Neither has been seeded.
Raducanu became the first professional-era qualifier to win a Grand Slam tournament. She had to win 10 matches, including three to qualify for the main draw, to win the title on Saturday. She didn’t drop a set all the time. “I just took care of every day,” Raducanu said on Friday.
Both women are of Asian descent and Fernandez is also Latino. Together, they got a lot of the world to applaud while wondering which finalist they should go for on a hot New York afternoon.
Fernandez lost the title match, but she aptly aimed at the hearts of US Open fans, who can be boisterous during big games at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
“I just want to say that I hope I can be as strong and resilient as New York has been for the past 20 years,” she said, referring to the 9/11 anniversary.
“Thanks for cheering me on,” Fernandez said. “I love you, New York, and I hope to see you next year.”
The Associated Press contributed.
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